UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Evelyn Thomas, a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering, received the National Society of Black Engineers’ (NSBE) Graduate Student of the Year award. The award is part of NSBE’s annual Golden Torch Awards ceremony, which recognizes the exemplary achievements of engineers who demonstrate excellence and impact within the STEM community. Thomas received the award as part of the 29th annual Golden Torch Awards ceremony, hosted by the NSBE and held on Saturday, March 21, in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Graduate Student of the Year award is awarded to a student who exemplifies outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular activities, personal accomplishments and student leadership.
During her time as a Penn State student, Thomas has performed research to reduce the number of parts and processes needed to successfully produce thick-folding, origami-based mechanisms. She’s also received the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship in 2023 from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Simultaneously, Thomas has been involved with engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi and the Black Graduate Student Association. In addition, Thomas has held leadership positions in the Graduate and Professional Student Association and the Multicultural Engineering Graduate Association.
The award holds a significant layer of personal meaning to Thomas, who herself decided to become an engineer at an NSBE conference she attended in eighth grade.
“I feel deeply honored to be NSBE's Graduate Student of the Year. NSBE has been part of my professional story at every level,” Thomas said. “Through the organization, I saw my first 3D printer, attended my first technical research presentations, and participated in my first career fair. Now, I am an additive manufacturing design researcher, who has given several technical presentations and has had opportunities to recruit future graduate and undergraduate students to Penn State. The award acknowledges that I have excelled in my work while using the lessons I've learned to empower others."
Thomas noted that receiving the award has encouraged her to keep pushing forward in her research, mentorship and service to the University.
“As a lifetime NSBE member, NSBE always will be part of my future,” she said. “I’m excited to see where that takes me. I intend to continue applying NSBE’s mission to my daily work by advancing academic excellence, pursuing professional success and positively impacting my community.”